Match Report
26th June -v- Ashburnham Arms 20/20 at Greenwich Park
Crusaders started their brief 20/20 season with an overwhelming win against 'The Ash'. Asked to bat, they compiled a healthy 166, with Slapdash and Gary Magnus each 'retiring'. The score was helped along with some erratic bowling from our hosts, who sent down a barrage of wides and no balls to supplement the score. Jagdesh and Manjit gave the innings the perfect impetus with some typically dashing shots, while Gary opted for a more leisurely approach. Wajih decided to give us a numerical advantage, removing a young bowler from the attack with a brutal straight drive that was intercepted by his goolies. Chand got off the mark with a straight six, made more amusing by the opposition players moving in close for the new bat. He perished attempting that ridiculous 'squash shot' that never scores any runs even if he hits it. Ben Magnus and Sumo failed to trouble the scorers, but late knocks from Alex, Mike and Spud ensured a formidable target. The Ash needed to get off to a flyer if they harboured any hopes of overhauling the target, but Mike and Alex ensured this would not happen with penetrating spells. A well set field supplemented an accurate six over burst that all but sealed victory. Skinny thought he had made the breakthrough, trapping the opener in front, but after the umpire had given it and the batsman had left the field, it was decided that he had got an inside edge on it. After some discussion between Chand and Umpire the batsman was recalled -- must be the first instance of a Pakistani playing in the spirit of the game. With the rate spiralling, Crusaders started to take wickets. Mike removed the other opener and then Ben got a couple of deliveries to swing helping himself to a couple of wickets, one courtesy of a catch from dad.
Ash skipper Hall played a few attractive shots, before submitting to the Spud slower ball and the reprieved opener got to 25, but a deadly spell from the Skip curtailed proceedings. His loopy brand of slow bowling had the Ash middle order in a quandary, as he helped himself to three wickets. A couple of smart stumpings from Simply and a good catch from 'the specialist', were indicative of a fine fielding display. The Ash final pair managed to survive the final two overs, keeping out `Jag the finisher' and Gary, who has ditched his donkey-drops for a more venomous mode of delivery. The Ashburnham Arms provided its usual fine spread and Master Brew to match.
